Let's stop saying "don't give homeless people money, they will just spend it on drugs." If you choose to be compassionate and give, release yourself from the need to control what someone does with your generosity and kindness.
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Those same people who claim homeless people only spend your largesse on drugs are the same who don't donate to homeless shelters, food banks, or soup kitchens.
I have been told by folks that moments of no-strings generosity, like you're describing here, were instrumental in helping them to develop enough self-esteem to begin to want to improve their lives.
That's the thing, even if they just keep going because of your kindness and money, that's enough. Sometimes they seek help because you made them feel like they can do that because someone genuinely cared.
I’ve often thought about this, I’ve never had an employer say to me ‘I’m not paying you you’ll only spend it on Jack Daniel’s, fags and weed’ which I did on a regular basis, hand over monies gladly and offer dignity to people also
If I give it away, my hands are open. I know the spirit I'm giving in. Only the greedy want to control the outcome of a gift. Let it go and serve its purpose.💙🦋
“A homeless guy asked me for money, so I looked in my wallet and all I had was a $20 bill. ‘Do I really want this money going towards drugs or booze?’ I asked myself. Nah, so I gave him the $20.”
You’re absolutely right. Helping others isn’t about controlling outcomes, it’s about showing humanity. Will some misuse kindness? Maybe. But compassion isn’t transactional. We give because it’s the right thing to do, and every act of care makes the world better. 💛
We have a Muslim friend who came to visit us and was giving money to people we were unsure of who, when we commented, expressed this idea - charity is the giving, not the 'making sure they're the right kind of recipient'. I think about that often.
I wouldn't be pleased to see a guy poison himself with cash that I gave him. It would make me feel quite sad. Therefore, it's better to give things like food, blankets, and other such items. Money, only when you trust the guy to not inject horse into himself.
Who the hell trades blankets for drugs? This is not a prison economy, where cigarettes are used as currency, this is the real world. While not out of the realm of possibility, the chances of such a transaction happening is almost nil.
The point being, people who are determined to feed their addictions will find a way. And those looking for an excuse not to help people in need will always find one.
"Here's 50 bucks, William! I KNOW you are probably gonna spend it on meth, but GODAMMIT I'm an adult. Snort away, Willy! I'll see you in ER later on 'cause I'm a responsible adult!"
People get real indeed,
Cause a DRUG DEALER doesn't make it's money from homeless people! They get their money from u and me! where we were able (till now) to discipline it, or financially able to do it. buying drugs for years. When you loose that stability, you go homeless. and now your junky?
when iask if people have "change" for me. And they respond with, "Sorry, i don't have any change", is that the true soul, inner mind, telling me out loud that they cannot change?
You can also choose to engage with them, on a beautiful level, as your fellow beings, which they are. The money part is easy. Try engaging for a few moments. Look into their eyes. Ask them good questions. You will learn a lot, and help a lot that way, too.
You are right. I have a good friend who drives by a homeless man almost daily. Somehow she started talking to him. Now they are on a 1st name basis. She will give him money even knowing it may be going to drugs, other times she brings him food. It's sad and wonderful all at once.
Yes. I have had these experiences as well. Sometimes the people are wonderfully sincere, and you can help them. Others times they lie to you outright while looking you in the eyes, and taking your money. It's all part of the human experience.
Agreed. I don’t care what they do with it. I am blessed and see no reason not to share. And that is also why I will never be filthy rich. #BillionairesShouldBeIllegal
Plus, remember that IF they do buy drugs, that means they are coping thru the day. We cannot help until we start with the WHY....
Anything else is just cruelty meant to cause pain and suffering
Hey Guy. I rarely (if ever) carry cash but would be glad to give something to those in need / who are unhoused. Do you have any recs on good gift cards I could carry on me, or shelf-stable food/drinks I could keep in my car for those moments?
Honestly this is freeing because you can realize what is out if your control. Also people stop handing out cans to people they're heavy and people need can openers.
Whenever I pass a homeless person, if I have money I will give it to them. I am so blessed in my life that I feel good being able to pass out on. My son was once homeless and I hope someone helped him back then.
I had a pastor who said he would rather help a man down on his luck even with alcohol or even drugs. They are suffering and God wants us to help those that suffer. I worked as a manager for years. Now if someone came in hungry out of my own pocket I would buy them good or a drink. I believe in help
I told my grandma that if wants to give money, she needs to do it with no strings attached. She would tell them she hoped they would make wise choices. I reminded her that the blessing is in giving, not controlling someone else's behavior. I rarely give money, I buy them meals instead.
I know someone who owns one of the most exclusive fashion boutiques in the world. Rodeo Drive, Moscow, Rome, Paris. Yesterday he told me that he knows the name of every homeless person who frequents the Santa Monica beach bike path. He talks with them every day and gives.
Not to mention that they're going to do that anyway, and your money might be enough that they can also eat.
Maybe not.
Maybe you give them enough to survive, and then realize what addiction has cost them, and they survive long enough to get help.
Fill the empty prisons our tax dollars paid for only for our stupid gov. to realize what we already knew. We're broke and can't afford to run them. Let the homeless run themselves as they already do, in these facilities. At least they're not just sitting completely empty.
That is so true. If 100 people were given $100, there would be 100 different things bought. It doesn’t matter what it’s spent on, it’s the buyers choice 🙏🥳
JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis walked down a street and CS Lewis gave a homeless person his loose change. JRR Tolkien: why did you do that? He’s only going to use it for drink? CS Lewis: that’s all I was going to use it for.
But remember to give Elon money so he can buy and destroy your favorite social media platform and shoot a car to orbit because M3eMz. I'll rather get some recretional medication for a homeless person to be honest.
Homeless people include families living in a car, ffs.
I've had a few years as "guy on the couch"..
And I was lucky to have that.
Trust fund babies have never been out in the cold and hungry.
Or been underpaid so you're always two steps behind..
Which ends up being more expensive.
My mother always said that once it passed out of her hands, it was not her business how they chose to spend it. I agree. At this point it's whatever hats you thru the day.
The line that was mentioned usually comes from politicians and rich people meanwhile they ask for the most money than anyone and some of them shove it up their nose
I try my best to help someone even if I have little to offer. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I denied someone food or money or even water or a cup of ice on a hot day. Whatever I can give I help.
I said something similar to my sons when they were younger. It might have been to buy booze, but I made a choice to give at that moment. My intention was kindness and sustanence for the human. I had no control over the outcome.
Saying the poor only spend their money on drugs and booze is their favorite lie to tell. It was the thinking behind their attempts to drug test people for food stamps......and less than 1% tested positive costing the states who did it millions. The poor aren't immoral. They just don't have money.
So if these billionaires don't want to give them money - give them a home and see what happens.
No home, no bank account, no regular work - no chance of getting a home. This dipshit owning the other site could accomplish so much with his money without losing his wealth. But he just wants more…
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Don't give if it comes with conditions. Just give.
Cause a DRUG DEALER doesn't make it's money from homeless people! They get their money from u and me! where we were able (till now) to discipline it, or financially able to do it. buying drugs for years. When you loose that stability, you go homeless. and now your junky?
when iask if people have "change" for me. And they respond with, "Sorry, i don't have any change", is that the true soul, inner mind, telling me out loud that they cannot change?
https://bsky.app/profile/sensemusic.bsky.social/post/3lbh32xwmlc2a
Anything else is just cruelty meant to cause pain and suffering
And don’t concern yourself with it.
And they don’t want to be homeless
So many judgmental BS about homeless people.
The city is saying that now.
But I mean, if giving money to the homeless makes you feel better about keeping generations of people homeless you do you
Maybe not.
Maybe you give them enough to survive, and then realize what addiction has cost them, and they survive long enough to get help.
No one wants to be homeless.
Be kind to others.
"If I give this guy money, he's just going to spend it on drugs or booze... Wait a minute, that's what *I* was going to spend it on..."
I've had a few years as "guy on the couch"..
And I was lucky to have that.
Trust fund babies have never been out in the cold and hungry.
Or been underpaid so you're always two steps behind..
Which ends up being more expensive.
No home, no bank account, no regular work - no chance of getting a home. This dipshit owning the other site could accomplish so much with his money without losing his wealth. But he just wants more…